Paint With a Disney Artist, See New Broadway Stars: Week 3 of Epcot International Festival of the Arts

While we love sipping and tasting our way around World Showcase Promenade, there’s so much beyond the incredible culinary treats – every weekend, Fridays through Mondays through Feb. 20, new visual and performing artists keep us coming back. Here are our picks for this week at the Epcot International Festival of the Arts:

Don’t just watch, participate! “Painting with a Disney Artist,” a rare opportunity to immerse yourself in a very special workshop in World Showcase, happens at 8 a.m. Friday. It doesn’t matter if you’ve never picked up a paintbrush or happen to be a pro, a Disney artist will guide you to create your own masterpiece. The morning starts with a light Continental breakfast, and capacity is limited. $259 plus tax and Epcot admission; call 407-WDW-TOUR.

Broadway fans, head to America Gardens Theatre to hear more Disney Theatrical stars this weekend. Kerry Butler (who played Belle in Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast” on Broadway) and Kevin Massey (“Tarzan” on Broadway) light up the outdoor stage with songs from Disney’s “Aladdin,” “Beauty and the Beast,” “Newsies” and “Tarzan.” They’ll be back next weekend too.

The fun spills into Future World as well, and one of our favorites is the Live Performance Art on the Fountain Stage – where visiting artists create cool masterpieces within minutes, each one a show with an artful twist.

There are fantastic gems all along the way, so keep your eyes open. One you might miss if you’re not looking for it: the portrait of “Mulan” created with fire by an artist named Mushi, near the Japan Pavilion. It’s just one of the little “aha” moments at the Epcot International Festival of the Arts.